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Duncan The Fiddler

from Argo - full album 1996 by Louisa John-Krol

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From our first CD Argo (Evolving Discs 1996): On the Isle of Man, under a Harvest Moon, when a fiddler passes the Standing Stones, an infernal imp dares him to a duet: 'Play on, play on!' This pact binds the fiddler Duncan to play for his life, until the break of dawn saves him. A traditional folktale inspired my rambunctious ballad.

lyrics

Duncan the Fiddler, play for your life!
Up from the heather and into the night,
You’ll come nae mare to berry nor stamp,
You’ll play the ware and we’ll be the dance -

Duncan the Fiddler, play for your life!
Up from the rivers and over the skies,
Don’t you be gone, our shadows are young -
Don’t you be leaving what you began …

On the stone we made our own duet,
A dangerous game was on, a pact -
Not just a song - and since you’ve come,
We might as well continue… I recommend you:

Duncan the Fiddler, play for your life!
Up from the heather and into the night
You’ll come nae mare to berry nor stamp,
You’ll play the ware and we’ll be the dance!

Way for the Fiddler, way for the bow!
Pray for the Fiddler - but don’t let him go!
Who would deny our generous rogue?
In with the drink and on with the show!

Pomegranate blood we share with you,
Our nectar juice is of the rarest hue,
So take the handles of the flagons,
Take the fruit I beg you … I dare you!

Duncan the Fiddler, hey your life is
Flashing before you like a steely little knife!
Did you say you’ve no children nor wife?
Well we have some you’d very well like:

Anwin, Ellen, Morgan, Nell and Edith,
Eve, Rhiannon, Alison – and maybe Morveth!
Emily, now she’s been anxious lately …

Duncan the Fiddler, Duncan the Fiddler…
Something wrong? - you’re dreadfully dim -
Dear, what a spot you’ve got yourself in!

Duncan the Fiddler, hey ho here!
Here is a lemon and there goes your beard …
Open your mouth and let us begin
Cursing the mess your fiddle is in –

Pieces all around you, where to stop?
The agony, the energy is fading,
Now you know the hunger of the Faerie…

But the morning light - the first light - Oooh, comes the sunlight!
“And I’m all right”, said Duncan
(Yes, he’d survived! But he later went mad.
And his fiddle lay smashed against the Standing Stones
Where - if you should go, by the September Harvest Moon -
You can still hear the fiddler’s old melody … )

credits

from Argo - full album 1996, released February 4, 2021
Lyrics, Melody, Chords: Louisa John-Krol
Vocals, acoustic Guitar: Louisa John-Krol
Recital (Narrator): Harry Williamson
Mountain Drums, Tambourine, Triangle (e.g. chiming dawn): Harry Williamson
Fiddle & Flute on Midi, e.g. dance between Fiddler & Imp: Louisa John-Krol, programmed by Harry Williamson
Orchestral Soundscaping on Midi, e.g. ghostly Celtic Bagpipe Drones, playful Horns, Pizzicato Violins & higher misty Synths: Harry Williamson
Produced with & engineered by Harry Williamson at Spring Studio
Photo of Louisa by Andrew Persi

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Louisa John-Krol Australia

Louisa is an Australian singer, composer, writer & faery storyteller who has released many albums of ethereal music on indie labels, primarily in France. She's completing a fantasy series, The Elderbrook Chronicles, with a soundtrack.

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